Final standings:
Men: 8.5 points ? W. So; 7.5 ? E. Torre, R. Bitoon; 7.0 ? J. Gomez; 6.5 ? R. Antonio; 5.5 ? R. Nolte; 5.0 ? J. Sadorra; 4.5 ? F. Donguines, O. Barbosa; 3.5 ? H, Nouri, B. Villamayor; 2.5 ? J. Gonzales.
Women: 8.0 ? C. Perena; 7.5 ? Sherily Cua, C., Camacho; 7.0 ? Shercila Cua; 6.5 ? A. Salvador; 6.0 ? Y. Jose; 4.5 ? C. Bernales, B. Mendoza; 4.0 ? E. Magno, J. Docena; 3.5 ? K. Cunanan; 3.0 ? J. Palomo
MANILA, Philippines?Grandmaster Wesley So added another memorable chapter to a storybook season by ruling the "Battle of GMs" chess championship before a big closing-day gallery at the Bayside Hall of City State Hotel in Ermita, Manila.
Already assured of the title and the grand prize of P200,000 after the 10th and penultimate round, So agreed to a draw with three-time national junior champion Jon Paul Gomez in 30 moves of the French to finish the 12-player tournament with 8.5 points on six wins and five draws.
The 14-year-old student from Bacoor, Cavite, whose meteoric rise to stardom baffles even long-time chess experts, finished a full point ahead of Asia's first GM, Eugene Torre, and International Master Richard Bitoon.
Torre halved the point with GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. in only 20 moves of the Caro Kann to keep his unbeaten slate, while Bitoon out-duelled come-backing GM Bong Villlamayor in 35 moves of the Queen's Indian to share second to third places with 7.5 points.
Gomez finished in solo fourth with seven points, followed by Antonio in fifth place with 6.5 points and NM Rolando Nolte in sixth spot with 5.5.
In women's play, Catherine Pereña bagged the title and the P50,000 top prize.
Pereña drew with Kimberly Cunanan in 43 moves of the Queen's Indian to finish with eight points, half a point ahead of Sherily Cua and Cheradee Camacho.
Cua stopped Jenny Palomo in 36 moves of the King's Indian, while Camacho upset Shercila Cua in 35 moves of the French.
National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president Prospero "Butch" Pichay awarded the trophies and cash prizes to the winners, assisted by NCFP secretary-general and Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino, NCFP vice-president Val Rosabal, NCFP executive director Willie Abalos and FIDE honorary lifetime president Florencio Campomanes.
"Masayang-masaya po ako dahil hindi nasayang ang mga pagsisikap ko (I'm so happy because my hard work did not go to naught)," said So, an incoming third year junior at St. Francis College-Cavite who dedicated his triumph to his parents, William and Lenny.
So won over Antonio, Villamayor, Bitoon, GM Jayson Gonzales, IM Julio Catalino Sadorra and FM Fernie Donguines. He drew with Torre, Nolte, NM Hamed Nouri and NM Oliver Barbosa.
It was the third straight victory for So in two months this year. So also ruled the prestigious 10th Dubai Open in the United Arab Emirates and the So-Susanto Megaranto One-on-One Showdown in Jakarta last month.
